AS Central Government considers reintroducing hanging for certain types of murder, some are raising concerns, and are not sure if hanging will solve the country’s crime problem.

Currently the death penality in Trinidad and Tobago is still provided for in legislation, but no executiions have been carried out for at least ten years. The Government’s first attempt to pass The Constitution Amendment (Capital Offences) Bill, known as the hanging bill, was defeated in the House of Representatives in February 2011 after it did not get the requisite support from the Opposition, with a vote of 29 for/11 against.
Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar had signalled last year that her Government will again try to work with the Opposition on the issue.  The Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan has now written to the Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Rowley, requesting that the People’s National Movement makes proposals to ensure that the Constitution (Amendment) (Capital Offences) Bill, 2015 is passed this year. But, both Attorney-at-law and Commissioner on the Police Service Commission, Martin George, and the Tobago House of Assembly’s Chief Secretary, Orville London believe there is no quick fix to the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago.
George says the issue continues to be stirred up for political expediency.  “Our politicians have been playing this game for far too long with the public. Teasing us all the time with the idea of hangings,” he says.  George believes politics and security should be separated. “One of the things I would like to suggest is that we delink the Ministry of National Security, or the whole security apparatus, from the political apparatus,” he said.
London does not believe any significant impact will be made if there is a resumption of hanging.
“When one looks at the statistics and the number of people who are in fact brought to justice, I think that is where the emphasis should really be placed.” London insists there is no quick fix to solving crime, as it is a chronic issue “which took long to develop and will take a long time to be resolved”.
“There are things that this particular government could have done better, and done differently. I think the focus now should be an analysis rather on comparison and one-upmanship and so on,” concludes London.

Extracted From: Tobago News